A firefighter has been taken to hospital after falling through the floor of a burning building.

The Newcastle firefighter suffered leg injuries after plunging through part of the former Coral bookmakers, in Old Hall Street, Hanley, at 4.13am today.

The blaze in the disused building has led to the closure of Old Hall Street.

Paramedics were called to the stricken firefighter at 6.01am today.

Fire crews at a blaze on Old Hall Street in Hanley

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We got a call to a report of a man who had fallen, although his fall had been broken. The patient was outside the building when we arrived. He suffered leg injuries and was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital."

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has stressed today's incident highlights the dangers faced by crews.

Director of Prevent and Protect Glynn Luznyj said: "One of our firefighters was injured when the floor gave way in the building. He was taken to hospital and assessed before being discharged a couple of hours later with minor injuries. We wish him a speedy recovery and will ensure he has the necessary support to recover from the incident.

"Firefighting is an inherently dangerous job and fortunately injuries are rare due to the amount of training we do and the protective equipment we wear. A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will take place so any learning can be shared."

Fire crews at a blaze on Old Hall Street in Hanley

Six fire engines attended the incident at the height of the blaze.

Mr Luznyj added: "The incident is now under control and crews are putting out the remainder of the fire. We will be scaling back the firefighting operation and working with Staffordshire Police on the fire investigation.

Police are appealing for witnesses and have detained two men - who have not been named - following the blaze.

Anyone with any information should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 67 of August 1.